Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsey Isaac. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lindsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
In my second year of running Fraîche Studio, I frequently face feelings of doubt, a sentiment I think many new business owners can relate to. There are moments of ambiguity, moments when what I do as a digital creative might not neatly fit into a box that people can immediately understand.
But here’s the thing: I’ve envisioned owning a business since I was ten years old. The specifics changed over the years, and while college didn’t provide a clear answer, studying entrepreneurship felt like the right direction. I am emotionally connected with the idea of building something from the ground up. An “entrepreneurial romantic,” if you will. Traditional jobs I’ve held brought both satisfaction and frustration, yet there was always an undercurrent of desire, a pull towards forging my own path.
One particularly challenging day comes to mind. I had dedicated the entire day to brainstorming solutions for scaling my business. As a freelancer, the usual routes are raising prices or hiring – but I yearned for a more inventive approach. Hours went by, ideas were charted out, yet I encountered roadblocks with every plan. At day’s end, wearied and overwhelmed, I found myself questioning, “What am I doing? Am I truly cut out for this?” That’s when a quote by Sara Blakely, the brilliant mind behind SPANX, echoed in my thoughts: “Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else.”
There’s a conviction deep within me: some of us are naturally attuned to the rhythms of entrepreneurship, to venturing into the unknown. I like to think I’m one of them. Sometimes, we all need reminders, anchors that help us refocus. With every step on this journey, even when I stumble or feel lost, I’m grounded by the belief that this is where I’m meant to be. That’s reassuring in its own right.
Lindsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Born from an observation and a drive to fill a gap, Fraîche Studio came into existence. I consistently noticed a dilemma within the small business sector: marketing, despite its paramount importance, was either misinterpreted or, worse, overlooked. This wasn’t a result of negligence but often due to the huge scope of the term ‘marketing’. Without a dedicated team, its potential could get buried beneath other pressing tasks. The alternative is a large agency, which can be both intimidating in its approach and too taxing on a small business’s budget.
Thus, Fraîche Studio was conceived. Our mission is simple: to assist businesses regardless of their size or marketing familiarity. We are determined to offer services that are not only high in quality but also tailored to each client’s specific needs, ensuring that marketing becomes an asset and not an afterthought. Among our offerings are:
Brand Photography/Videography: Capturing the essence of your brand in visuals that resonate.
Social Media Management: Crafting an engaging presence across platforms to connect you with your audience.
Website/E-Commerce Development: Building digital hubs that are both attractive and functional.
Email Marketing: Crafting narratives that foster loyalty and drive action.
Brand Design: Molding a unique identity that sets you apart in the marketplace.
What truly distinguishes us is our approachability and adaptability. Each brand has a story, and we’re here to help tell it in the most compelling manner.
I am immensely proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients, watching their brands flourish and knowing we played a role in that growth. At Fraîche Studio, we view marketing not just as a business function, but as an art. An art of understanding, connecting, and growing. We’re here to paint your brand’s best picture!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building a robust social media presence for Fraîche Studio was essential, especially since our core offering revolves around aiding clients in this domain. My initiation into the world of social media, however, began in an entirely different field: skincare.
Launching as an esthetician, my aim was straightforward: attract new clients. One of the most impactful strategies I employed was listening intently to every query posed by clients during appointments. I’d jot down their questions about skin treatments, routines, or products, then craft content addressing these curiosities. My rationale was simple: if one person had these questions, likely, others did too. This approach not only bolstered my account’s growth but also expanded my clientele. So, for anyone embarking on their social media journey, my primary advice is to be a keen listener. Design content that provides answers your potential audience might be seeking.
If there’s a change in your career trajectory, it’s natural to wonder whether to switch your account or pivot its direction. For me, given how closely knit Fraîche Studio is with my personal brand, the decision to evolve my existing profile was instinctive. To those in a similar situation: embrace change. If you’re transitioning industries or roles and your brand is intrinsically tied to who you are, modify your account to match your new direction. Although you might lose a few followers, many will remain, particularly if you cater to their evolving interests. When I veered from skincare to digital marketing, I returned my content to appeal to the marketing needs of my current following, marketing for estheticians, beauty clinics, and salons. This strategy was invaluable, ensuring many of them became my first clients in this new venture.
In essence, always cater to your audience’s questions and needs and remember that change isn’t something to be feared but an opportunity to be seized.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
While my formal education was rooted in Business and Communication, the primary focus of my early career wasn’t solely on these domains. Yet, digital marketing, an area I was deeply passionate about, was something I continually sought knowledge in during my spare moments.
An interesting twist occurred during my grad school days. Financial constraints made it challenging to continue my CrossFit gym membership. Rather than giving it up, I pitched an idea to the gym’s owners: I would manage and enhance their social media presence in exchange for a membership. From the moment I took on this account, I was hooked. The thrill of setting and achieving goals, crafting a distinct brand voice, and harmonizing creativity with analytics was exhilarating.
This newfound love influenced my professional journey profoundly. No matter where I worked, I’d invariably volunteer to lead digital marketing initiatives. Over time, this side hustle equipped me with various skills beyond just managing social media accounts – from photography and videography to website design and email marketing. It reached a point where the tasks I once considered side projects became the highlights of my workday.
Recognizing this deep-seated passion and confidence in the skills I had acquired over time, I had an epiphany: digital marketing wasn’t just something I loved; it was what I was meant to do. This realization marked the genesis of my entrepreneurial journey, prompting me to establish my own business and commit to digital marketing wholeheartedly.
Reflecting on my journey from side hustle to full-time commitment, a profound insight emerges: While industries, roles, and contexts might change, the essence of who we are remains a steadfast constant. At my core, I thrive on learning, experimenting without the weight of immediate perfection, and basking in the liberty of creativity. Interestingly, these are also the tenets of a side hustle. Some folks rightly choose to guard their passion projects, maintaining a boundary between what they love and their professional life. It’s a space of pure passion, untainted by the demands of a career. Yet, if a significant portion of my life is spent working, I yearn for it to resonate with my soul, to be more than just a means for financial survival. It should be an extension of my essence, a tangible manifestation of my innate self. If you’re resonating with these thoughts, I’d urge you to introspect. Skim through the chapters of your life and identify those consistent threads, those unwavering truths about yourself. Therein lies the foundation of a fulfilling venture.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefraichestudio.com
- Instagram: @thefraichestudio
- Facebook: @thefraichestudio